Ocean Engineering graduate study is offered through the CEOE Department, and is centered on the facilities and considerable faculty expertise resident in the Davidson Laboratory. Here, students have the opportunity to pursue advanced course instruction and applied research in one of the nation's foremost marine hydrodynamics and naval architecture research centers.

The Stevens Ocean Engineering graduate program is very broad, and includes opportunities for instruction and research in Marine Craft Hydrodynamics and Hull Design, Environmental Hydrodynamics, Coastal Engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Physical Oceanography, Ocean and Weather Forecasting, and Underwater Acoustics. Students are encouraged to pursue coursework and research across these various disciplines.

Master's Degree Programs

The Master of Engineering degree is offered with programs in civil, environmental and ocean engineering. The programs normally require 30 credit hours of course work. A thesis is optional and may be substituted for five to 10 credit hours of course work. The thesis option is strongly recommended for full-time students, those receiving financial support, or those planning to pursue doctoral studies.

Doctoral Degree Program

The program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed to develop your capability to perform research or high-level design in civil, environmental or ocean engineering. Admission to the doctoral program is made through the departmental graduate admissions committee, based on review of your scholastic record. A master's degree is required before a student is admitted to the doctoral program. Your master's level academic performance must reflect your capability to pursue advanced studies and perform independent research.

Ninety credits of graduate work in an approved program of study beyond the bachelor's degree are required for completion of the doctoral program. Up to 30 credits obtained in a master's program can be included in this program. Of the remaining 60 credits, 15 to 30 credit hours of course work as well as 30 to 45 credit hours of dissertation work are required.

Within two years from time of admission, you must take a written qualifying examination that is intended to test your comprehension of undergraduate and master's level engineering fundamentals and mathematics. Upon satisfactory performance in the qualifying examination, and completion of the required course work, you must take an oral preliminary examination. This examination is primarily intended to evaluate your aptitude for advanced research and examine your understanding of the subjects associated specifically with your dissertation topics. Upon satisfactory completion of the preliminary examination and all course work, you will become a doctoral candidate and start your dissertation research.

Doctoral research work must be based on an original investigation and the results must make a significant, state-of-the-art contribution to the field, and must be worthy of publication in current professional literature. At the completion of the research, you must defend your thesis in a public presentation.

Master's in Maritime Systems Program

The Master of Engineering degree program in Maritime Systems provides advanced instruction in the various disciplines associated with maritime ports and ocean and inland waterway transportation systems. This instruction is delivered in a framework that encourages the use of technology to address the social, environmental, and economic issues related to maritime systems. In recognition of the diverse skills required in today’s port and marine transportation industries, the program combines a multi-disciplinary core curriculum with an array of specialized tracks that provide disciplinary focus.

Civil Engineer Degree Program

To be qualified to enter the civil engineer degree program, a student must have completed a master's degree in engineering. The degree candidate must also demonstrate professional competence by having at least two years of responsible industrial experience in one of the areas of civil engineering. The industrial experience is to be completed prior to entering the program or in the process of being satisfied upon entering the program. Thirty credits beyond the master's degree are required for the degree of civil engineer. Eight to 15 of those credits must be on a design project. You will be assigned an advisor who will help you develop a study plan and who will supervise your design project. The study plan, which should include details of the professional experience and of the design project, must be submitted to the departmental committee on the civil engineer degree for approval. Upon completion of the design project, students submit written reports to a departmental committee for approval, and will be required to submit to oral examinations on the substance of the design project.

Graduate Certificate Programs

The department offers the following programs leading to Graduate Certificates. Students need to meet regular admissions requirements for the master's program. The courses may also be applied toward the Master of Engineering degree.

Short Courses

The Davidson Laboratory conducts a series of short courses for professionals in the field of environmental hydrodynamics and sediment transport. These courses are designed to provide practical knowledge of numerical modeling and observational techniques for both beginners and experienced professionals. Various models of circulation, sediment transport and waves, different parameterizations of vertical and horizontal mixing are part of the course series. Each course completed will earn 2 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) and be provided with a certification of achievement.